Holy Prophet, SAW: The Best Model of the Human Moral Character (ii)

All the Messengers were conclusively of the pure ‘Fitrah’ (Nature), so were of towering morality in the communities they were raised to spread the Divine Message. Being the last ring of this holy chain, Muhammad, be peace and blessings of Allah upon him, had the purest ‘Fitrah’. He had essence of all the remarkable moral qualities of his forerunner prophets. As the Messenger of Allah he was to prove himself a unique model of his great morality. Allah said in the Quran. “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah a good example to follow for him whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and (who) remembers Allah often.” Al-Ahzab: 21) For the magnificent Cause he was going to be commissioned as a Prophet, as once he himself told, he was given moral boosting and training directly by his Lord. “My Lord taught me the rules of behavior and really taught educated me in the best way.” (Ibn Sam’ani)

Politeness of nature, honesty and fairness in his dealings, facile expression, chastity, forbearance, firmness and gravity of manners were the specialties of his personality. He demonstrated his verve and courage in whatever the critical situation would have been. He always backed the wronged and stood for justice. Modesty (Hayaa) was the most significant aspect of the Prophet’s character from his childhood to his last breath. His pleasure reflected only from his sweet smile. Bursting into laughter had never been his habit. He spoke only when something useful and important was there to be told. A graceful silence was his distinction. He always showed his humbleness. No sign of arrogance ever came in spotlight from his talk, body language or from his movement and gait. He never gave up his principle of low, cautious and gradual steps, no matter how serious circumstances would have been in his domestic affairs, public issues or in his Dawa’ activities. He overlooked human shortcomings and forgave his companions on their missteps. He never lost patience, endurance, forbearance, tolerance, all the thin layers of the comprehensive term of Sabr.

From his early youth he had gained recognition of his moral zenith and the people in Makkah called him Sadiq (the truthful) and Amin (the trustworthy). When whole of his Makkan community was sunk in Jahili polytheistic customs he was away from all Pagan Rituals. His shepherding in his childhood had inculcated a high degree of carefulness and tenderness in him. Clemency and patience were his moral earnings from his early life as an orphan, mother’s death, losing the guardianship of his grandfather and living coming under the patronage of his uncle who had a big family to support and was in short of income. When the people of Makkah chose him as arbiter in their dispute over who had the right to place the Black Stone at its proper place when Ka’ba was rebuilt after its damage by the flood, they were convinced of his wisdom and trustworthiness. He joined the kin, shared the burdens of the other people and helped in virtuous matters, as his wife Khadijah, RA, corroborated when he came back to her excessively shocked after his first experience of receiving revelation.

What more proof for highness of his moral character can be than the witness by his Lord Himself? Allah says: “And indeed you are of a great moral character.” (Al-Qalam: 4) He was sympathizer and well wisher of his companions. Allah’s witness in this case is that: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; he is concerned over you (your guidance and betterment) and to the believers he is kind and merciful.” (At-Tawbah: 128) In another verse says: “And by mercy from Allah, (O Muhammad) you were lenient with them (the believers). And if you had been rude (of tongue) and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed Allah loves those who rely (upon Him.” (Al-e-Imran: 159)